tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59041011704418002842024-02-20T11:00:40.742+13:00On happy groundSuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-80592546878438472112012-09-19T08:41:00.001+12:002012-09-19T08:55:09.082+12:00Desolate<em>19 September 2012</em><br />
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It was hard to decide whether to go into Christchurch city. It wasn't somewhere I knew well before the earthquakes, nor felt any particular attachment to. There was also this exaggerated Kiwi sense of politeness holding me back - after all, it's rude to stare. But, in the end, we felt it was something we should see, an experience we need a real sense of, beyond the photos and newsreels.<br />
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We started off by having coffee at <a href="http://www.restart.org.nz/" target="_blank">Re:START Mall</a>. It's all bright and cheerful and feels like it should give you hope. But it somehow didn't, partly because it was so empty.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCo1PtxwED5oVGRYn-hOmmurmJ3UrAQ8XtnueQubP2xJOjquDpiCX0_smTpF2wYNUY5DXAe5bY3l5aHqsLhVwqWN4J0W5awF4G09axpDI61y5DJDBoObbMhNjUqrXpbMchaAw5bnXM3Q/s1600/IMG_0577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCo1PtxwED5oVGRYn-hOmmurmJ3UrAQ8XtnueQubP2xJOjquDpiCX0_smTpF2wYNUY5DXAe5bY3l5aHqsLhVwqWN4J0W5awF4G09axpDI61y5DJDBoObbMhNjUqrXpbMchaAw5bnXM3Q/s400/IMG_0577.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full of sunshine and bright colours, but not people.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwxlFHumcTMC05V40bGoGyP_8AQxxRP5JgKBE4TCQ4rIrhWpp3hPWpCEC3rtp0tU63td2kxKerDIBsrGAmdYdjXAB-ARHp7gRXyNHZ_peLFQ_dso6VT7xJ2ZJ0SUxUXJwdxc_gyhcFa8/s1600/100_7029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwxlFHumcTMC05V40bGoGyP_8AQxxRP5JgKBE4TCQ4rIrhWpp3hPWpCEC3rtp0tU63td2kxKerDIBsrGAmdYdjXAB-ARHp7gRXyNHZ_peLFQ_dso6VT7xJ2ZJ0SUxUXJwdxc_gyhcFa8/s400/100_7029.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then you turn around and remember why the mall exists in the first place.</td></tr>
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We then walked part of the red zone perimeter. Nothing seems quite real, and yet reality keeps slapping you in the face. Piles of rubble, vast empty tracts, building that look undamaged next to devastation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ptQMeqI9wd4lhgyzvm1fMT-yfAZjJbEdSL717T23Nr9TQ0wvV3z99vNaRrqEmuvI8OZ9UhPXP6BM0Gyrka2UkPvKsyr_mbcSLJAG2XeImzgGzjzoBDHhNJ2eBP0KeZe_UTfHDBsFHO4/s1600/100_7040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ptQMeqI9wd4lhgyzvm1fMT-yfAZjJbEdSL717T23Nr9TQ0wvV3z99vNaRrqEmuvI8OZ9UhPXP6BM0Gyrka2UkPvKsyr_mbcSLJAG2XeImzgGzjzoBDHhNJ2eBP0KeZe_UTfHDBsFHO4/s400/100_7040.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strange juxtaposition of spring; new leaves, punting on the Avon,<br />
a ruined church.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-N2qO4zgXqmRIoEdYIYYWSO1TPN8rvm0F7e1hSN9MMVXqyJFR-P2WEnveb7HKK7aENMPV6lm8SwJuTtmCNP9DRQaJAB-JcADxlFMIzHl5GZ_X_zRe_3Jwq2X4FRriRTsVo0SvrvDG944/s1600/100_7042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-N2qO4zgXqmRIoEdYIYYWSO1TPN8rvm0F7e1hSN9MMVXqyJFR-P2WEnveb7HKK7aENMPV6lm8SwJuTtmCNP9DRQaJAB-JcADxlFMIzHl5GZ_X_zRe_3Jwq2X4FRriRTsVo0SvrvDG944/s400/100_7042.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many buildings gone.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-ra6tMdEODu5yYp2QgKNmIzDM9dF32ic7AxXaYHA7_ge2prsdGwGxV4zukyOTklzfYA2-45G30EfDipn6vMGYpgo5gfolgNqH8ZIsEdoZbAeSztgJ-4DJd9KqtUAtRbM3yyuCwObqAk/s1600/100_7043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-ra6tMdEODu5yYp2QgKNmIzDM9dF32ic7AxXaYHA7_ge2prsdGwGxV4zukyOTklzfYA2-45G30EfDipn6vMGYpgo5gfolgNqH8ZIsEdoZbAeSztgJ-4DJd9KqtUAtRbM3yyuCwObqAk/s400/100_7043.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We've seen many versions of this scene, but the reality is raw and painful.</td></tr>
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Before long we didn't have the heart to see more. If just an hour in the city affected us like this, how do the people of Christchurch manage to carry on? How do they live with the sadness, the uncertainty, the fear?<br />
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Where do they find hope?<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.426632354039883.85839.100000793671225&type=1&l=91e9f61f50" target="_blank">More Christchurch photos</a><br />
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Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-11029658863002956022012-07-10T20:19:00.000+12:002012-07-10T20:19:08.785+12:00Don't mind us<em>10 July 2012</em><br />
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Nice of you to drop in and see us at Te Puru Holiday Park today.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVoCSXJdGQnNblZdSGre9peov8U48r_6PpuLz3IEcCJbdeGFAQkaS-GwD-zm7duurDTKvYlOV2Z29a0bZUVAj8IehqqlIvXke2pQOHPCRMorPmFFCy-XqhKVR76g1OZbOJQGSx6ifyvJA/s1600/Te+Puru+playground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVoCSXJdGQnNblZdSGre9peov8U48r_6PpuLz3IEcCJbdeGFAQkaS-GwD-zm7duurDTKvYlOV2Z29a0bZUVAj8IehqqlIvXke2pQOHPCRMorPmFFCy-XqhKVR76g1OZbOJQGSx6ifyvJA/s200/Te+Puru+playground.jpg" width="200" /></a>Of course I'm happy to give you a map and directions to the Top 10 Holiday Park at Hot Water Beach.<br />
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Yeah, yeah, while you're here, feel free to let your kids play in our playground for 20 minutes or so.<br />
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Oh sure, you may as well use the toilets while you're here.<br />
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After all, we're not trying to run a business.Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-80712422835110087982012-07-08T17:07:00.002+12:002012-07-08T17:07:49.505+12:00I can't decide<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4TSuYKgLACfjIOCQdm_shvX_nSs895ajzXOCkoGlNoSUF_dW9swPx5_5yuaYX1iLZdt5sfX-9lsAp6YHNkGs6PS12-TKWo3brU98Oy4EhmupwuQ0KW-mRs4H6b6BzU20gMZIhuL9I4A/s1600/IMG_0386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4TSuYKgLACfjIOCQdm_shvX_nSs895ajzXOCkoGlNoSUF_dW9swPx5_5yuaYX1iLZdt5sfX-9lsAp6YHNkGs6PS12-TKWo3brU98Oy4EhmupwuQ0KW-mRs4H6b6BzU20gMZIhuL9I4A/s640/IMG_0386.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very clever name or just a bit of a shocker?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-64643075085848219062012-06-22T14:53:00.001+12:002012-06-22T14:53:59.000+12:00Which way next?<em>22 June 2012</em><br />
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We find ourselves at something of a crossroads.<br />
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In the last 18 months we have worked at some wonderful places - and most places we've worked at more than once. There's something special about getting to know the people and feeling you're becoming part of a community.<br />
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It would be easy to build up a 'work cirucit', returning to the same places and jobs year after year.<br />
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But is this really why we gave up our 'regular' jobs and built a home with wheels?<br />
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This time three years ago we were at Outward Bound - an experience we credit with helping us find the courage to make such a big change to our lifestyle.<br />
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Having proved wrong our fears of not finding enough work to fund our life on the road, do we now have the courage to let go of our safe options and find work in other places? It's like making a continual series of fresh starts.<br />
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One thing we have learned, though, is how much work there is around for people who are willing to ask for it - and just get stuck in and do it.<br />
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The South Island beckons. We realise it's not going away, but we'd really like to get there this year. So planning and the job search has started - we'd like to have something organised before taking such a big step.<br />
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Mind you, driving over the Desert Road in the snow last week did have us wondering how well the bus will handle a South Island winter.Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-5713320783311215092012-02-11T10:01:00.001+13:002012-02-11T10:01:25.071+13:00Walking<em>11 February 2011</em><br />
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We've been for some lovely walks in the last few days.<br />
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The longest was the <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/central-north-island/turangi-taupo/walks-further-out-of-taupo-township/" target="_blank">Kawakawa Bay</a> walk from Kinloch, four hours return. Fairly easy walking, although we didn't wear our boots, so felt the distance more than we should have.<br />
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Started mid-afternoon, so it wasn't too hot - but the cicadas were still outrageously loud. Beautiful views and lovely bush.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyu09d9zq21d1ogIh0YczLCkcyYieQc3zDv-cIGLiJ_9Xztt27v0fzm85QRRZoPVUXQDncJ-i-Np_jGephWhND3_mrJO84QE19V5PSMZcDR-pemJ1Q8mG3UqE_VWXjjwbOZ5cv4Wt7CO8/s1600/IMG_0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyu09d9zq21d1ogIh0YczLCkcyYieQc3zDv-cIGLiJ_9Xztt27v0fzm85QRRZoPVUXQDncJ-i-Np_jGephWhND3_mrJO84QE19V5PSMZcDR-pemJ1Q8mG3UqE_VWXjjwbOZ5cv4Wt7CO8/s400/IMG_0100.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glad we had the walking poles, should have worn our boots as well</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kawakawa Bay from the highest point on the track</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gMZZlIW5m0uHK3Gohp3kbSFajkwcRedatgUzzVN5qJMZbflpSImlJDoZbkc5O39ib2ww0aFpPbNcnsQ_pvX19IoYXxxno-WTtsHuGpdo3xCC-NRabLsq6a4VbSkI6pLvrqYpMTtC12s/s1600/100_6871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gMZZlIW5m0uHK3Gohp3kbSFajkwcRedatgUzzVN5qJMZbflpSImlJDoZbkc5O39ib2ww0aFpPbNcnsQ_pvX19IoYXxxno-WTtsHuGpdo3xCC-NRabLsq6a4VbSkI6pLvrqYpMTtC12s/s400/100_6871.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not quite enticing enough to get us swimming</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No sign of these folk, but freshly washed undies hanging in a tree to dry</td></tr>
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A couple of days later we did the <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/central-north-island/ruapehu/waitonga-falls-track/" target="_blank">Waitonga Falls</a> track on Mt Ruapehu. Much shorter, very different scenery and nowhere near as much noise from the insects.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Better prepared - boots AND sunblock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYS7sCUpGl21owpxxJSQsBEgShTJop_yLiALsEraAn2BjYmzVv4dxuemzZgoMZ8NZHQKfR6cCcILRZ3E12AvYDReC_M5VSO_cUBfn1iKlZhswDNlIhh6mx_5DqPNR9bMmProoa2DqOQ0/s1600/IMG_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYS7sCUpGl21owpxxJSQsBEgShTJop_yLiALsEraAn2BjYmzVv4dxuemzZgoMZ8NZHQKfR6cCcILRZ3E12AvYDReC_M5VSO_cUBfn1iKlZhswDNlIhh6mx_5DqPNR9bMmProoa2DqOQ0/s400/IMG_0111.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More spectacular after some rain, perhaps!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdh2aEp5VJ9LQEEKCDat5XcJB1ynSz_eXOGJm-DXqhkQ8nzajCGbDvR9v3blspYqqWOBcpS1yPvg6kixkhxHkdi2KluJ4xw7LvOrX4ceLJMXNLOehQb-90GxCAPxLFwZEac3k7ed__ow/s1600/IMG_0136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdh2aEp5VJ9LQEEKCDat5XcJB1ynSz_eXOGJm-DXqhkQ8nzajCGbDvR9v3blspYqqWOBcpS1yPvg6kixkhxHkdi2KluJ4xw7LvOrX4ceLJMXNLOehQb-90GxCAPxLFwZEac3k7ed__ow/s400/IMG_0136.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mountain with its head in the clouds and feet in the bog</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0v1aVlUSY_tCe-yF9WaEIW0sTDCGu9mlThnoHlFe1jBUW57JQccvmrUB1yixh1T9-8EUnNvQRiSDbETnqks6LKa8WtNLkEW44TmSq99awVd8PY7-Lu1VZfTIvIA3gwEgC6OxiACRXgIg/s1600/IMG_0139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0v1aVlUSY_tCe-yF9WaEIW0sTDCGu9mlThnoHlFe1jBUW57JQccvmrUB1yixh1T9-8EUnNvQRiSDbETnqks6LKa8WtNLkEW44TmSq99awVd8PY7-Lu1VZfTIvIA3gwEgC6OxiACRXgIg/s400/IMG_0139.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful tree and welcome bridge</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77R629xwZpPHqnBtvgldL6Fu2fc4h17yF3NdOT4nh6IUSD6lDNtj8RVE9Oe5EOunU_cGMvr44oxwAkUw84DsbrioUvmQ5s-jxFwk0yHVXwfPXsF6iG0xpHWqAe5zuo5KFALGWvYDqSvo/s1600/IMG_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77R629xwZpPHqnBtvgldL6Fu2fc4h17yF3NdOT4nh6IUSD6lDNtj8RVE9Oe5EOunU_cGMvr44oxwAkUw84DsbrioUvmQ5s-jxFwk0yHVXwfPXsF6iG0xpHWqAe5zuo5KFALGWvYDqSvo/s400/IMG_0109.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boardwalk protecting the bog</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-36467345978104963942012-02-02T04:44:00.001+13:002012-02-02T04:44:40.056+13:00Determined old bird<em>2 February 2012</em><br />
<br />
We had a lovely visit from Mum and Aunty Rob last week. At 78, you'd think Mum would be happy with gentle strolls on the beach. But there are better views to be seen if you go a little higher.<br />
<br />
So up the hill she climbed, using Craig's walking poles - of course now she has got some for herself.<br />
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When I grow up, I want to be like my Mum.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fe_Q9PrljI8e4ETZCnwvQzNffS1mccbxvikxhprCWM6iuUKLtz0rT-c-u94WBLwmYiDXGX1NSsPODTwaQVJ7uxrxrXm03cWDLu7rd0n1BT0j8kTh4jyVzZIA6RkDbMM4KBUeBC2cjfs/s1600/100_6825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fe_Q9PrljI8e4ETZCnwvQzNffS1mccbxvikxhprCWM6iuUKLtz0rT-c-u94WBLwmYiDXGX1NSsPODTwaQVJ7uxrxrXm03cWDLu7rd0n1BT0j8kTh4jyVzZIA6RkDbMM4KBUeBC2cjfs/s400/100_6825.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loving those poles.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1Ku9QzHdB2zmCDmaONmn6InWNB6Te0gOQ5y1vxb24MIf_SZGHEmv2RyR_rVcIusd82Jsl9QhF99Eg71Mr6dQAa0SWDIw7lcGq6zuPFgCFcJENwlrqyqE3Pyix-o2BSzZSZpTlhs1Fhg/s1600/100_6822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1Ku9QzHdB2zmCDmaONmn6InWNB6Te0gOQ5y1vxb24MIf_SZGHEmv2RyR_rVcIusd82Jsl9QhF99Eg71Mr6dQAa0SWDIw7lcGq6zuPFgCFcJENwlrqyqE3Pyix-o2BSzZSZpTlhs1Fhg/s400/100_6822.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She may not have made it all the way to the top, but it's a mighty big hill.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8p_7bwIqtxG7I_yaGXG7IDjHB8OzJJ7KoWrJpGK-r2Vmbp0Zpe1LjKUEu_Xo1UdmVAYeX4D-YQvgu_0p9QMFQ-1YPjA5tcuejykh2s-Xrj5_mt7vJVeth6TX7zu93VelIRgkq9QNTkvA/s1600/100_6824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8p_7bwIqtxG7I_yaGXG7IDjHB8OzJJ7KoWrJpGK-r2Vmbp0Zpe1LjKUEu_Xo1UdmVAYeX4D-YQvgu_0p9QMFQ-1YPjA5tcuejykh2s-Xrj5_mt7vJVeth6TX7zu93VelIRgkq9QNTkvA/s400/100_6824.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With her beloved Poor Knights Islands in the background.</td></tr>
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</div>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-75692983074588578292011-12-24T21:12:00.001+13:002011-12-24T21:12:55.350+13:00Bye bye bridge<em>24 December 2011</em><br />
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The first time we took the bus over the old (one lane) Kopu bridge will also be the last time - the flash new bridge is now open for business, with a lane for each direction of travel.<br />
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No doubt fading memories will make people think fondly of the old bridge, but it really was the stuff of holiday-makers' nightmares. One lane, very long, and blocking their way to all those lovely Coromandel beaches.<br />
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Many hours were lost sitting in cars on the side of the road, baking in the summer heat. Waiting for a chance to cross the bridge, constantly doing the mental arithmetic to work out the revised arrival time at the bach, or how much daylight would be left to pitch the tent in.<br />
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We drove over the old bridge on the day the new bridge was opened up for foot traffic and hordes of people were taking their chance to walk over and have a look around.<br />
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In a few months, people will barely remember the excitement, and very few will even bother to look down at the old bridge as they whizz by.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1Rl4hWahSRjZbEDteqpNXoc52YZzo-5P62YaLNFVFRc32bpeZToRMQ2NJvJ-OjlZpaP9ijrMw3qKxMMUhheppHlToctwHSws2FZ9G5lnJ9FCCUYRiJSIjSHSIjdyN7ED1PiDweyQnig/s1600/100_6797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1Rl4hWahSRjZbEDteqpNXoc52YZzo-5P62YaLNFVFRc32bpeZToRMQ2NJvJ-OjlZpaP9ijrMw3qKxMMUhheppHlToctwHSws2FZ9G5lnJ9FCCUYRiJSIjSHSIjdyN7ED1PiDweyQnig/s400/100_6797.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting our turn to cross</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKf0IlKRI0L196vpigAC-cEnq3knJ6WX6uwTex0SqihOa3XvMv4Z0oUKN_aLkXQjcKDERedcrXxamV7_W3BAaN1Ity4FvRZpVZu8S1lHvkBf0IK_J8Z6JkuH2MCjsNMkPrHqSo3oyOZ8/s1600/100_6802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKf0IlKRI0L196vpigAC-cEnq3knJ6WX6uwTex0SqihOa3XvMv4Z0oUKN_aLkXQjcKDERedcrXxamV7_W3BAaN1Ity4FvRZpVZu8S1lHvkBf0IK_J8Z6JkuH2MCjsNMkPrHqSo3oyOZ8/s400/100_6802.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old bridge looks dreadfully worn next to the new one</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6I4FyNUplUWnBlfhcFJSU1H7QCV2qHpc8GLbmZQ8sq553sHNpkorMYqBzEuh6Qwile5huaKxkNYeYpfvpTw_tUHrJta-ccDAEJAuBM9QMIgWxXyTJIHBg1v0ah_i9GY9I7E5xEKsPrXk/s1600/100_6805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6I4FyNUplUWnBlfhcFJSU1H7QCV2qHpc8GLbmZQ8sq553sHNpkorMYqBzEuh6Qwile5huaKxkNYeYpfvpTw_tUHrJta-ccDAEJAuBM9QMIgWxXyTJIHBg1v0ah_i9GY9I7E5xEKsPrXk/s400/100_6805.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very small queue waiting on the other side, compared to what would be<br />
seen in summer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-88647663662046730862011-11-25T14:43:00.001+13:002011-12-24T20:48:51.467+13:00The right hose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em>25 November 2011</em></div>
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It was tough to come up with a title for this post that didn't sound like a double entendre!</div>
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Making sure we can get fresh water is very high on our list of priorities, so having the right hose is essential. It has to be robust, safe for drinking water and long enough to get water from the tap to the bus.</div>
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Until now we have carried two garden hoses - one that copes with most situations and an extra piece for when more length is called for. The trouble is these take up a lot of room. The only place they fit was in the engine bay - and the heat from the engine is a problem if they're not stowed just right. In fact both hoses are quite a bit shorter than they used to be, as Craig has trimmed off the melted bits.</div>
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Now our search for a better hose has been rewarded by the discovery of the 'handi-hose'. It is 15m long, rolls flat onto a reel and is safe for drinking water. It takes up so little room it doesn't even need to go in the engine bay, fitting into our power cord storage instead.</div>
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It does have a couple of disadvantages, neither of which were deal-breakers. You have to unwind the whole 15m even if you're only 4m from the tap, and it has to be laid right out as any kinks will stop the water flow.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVzF_qaFQ8YJ51sLg3kGRB0bpLT5Sr9zLUJxQpCkHoCZoBgDEhtRzcMaPmyvwQ2M0kMYTVeRzfim8E5Iv4ci1NGBMI0ufz3KnyBK1RH0ChsHZ5zeZMndDD54-e_KdiHe09J9CCjhc2f0/s1600/100_6795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVzF_qaFQ8YJ51sLg3kGRB0bpLT5Sr9zLUJxQpCkHoCZoBgDEhtRzcMaPmyvwQ2M0kMYTVeRzfim8E5Iv4ci1NGBMI0ufz3KnyBK1RH0ChsHZ5zeZMndDD54-e_KdiHe09J9CCjhc2f0/s400/100_6795.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolled up into a handy package that weighs less than 3kg.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWShU9EliZ41D23PKmx8XyoZ5CEnvVIcQ8MTynQCil6buUD5PR91X8685eNuJ2DSmpaWFVFSSVS7BhaZkiTaVKm-Ls_EZCGxWPXi_SE0hSCfQ_eKKdipRfRIkTQYHrxEGBifzQ8XXTwN4/s1600/100_6794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWShU9EliZ41D23PKmx8XyoZ5CEnvVIcQ8MTynQCil6buUD5PR91X8685eNuJ2DSmpaWFVFSSVS7BhaZkiTaVKm-Ls_EZCGxWPXi_SE0hSCfQ_eKKdipRfRIkTQYHrxEGBifzQ8XXTwN4/s400/100_6794.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filling time, with the hose carefully laid out to avoid kinks.</td></tr>
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<em>We got our hose from <a href="http://www.foxtonrvaccessories.co.nz/" target="_blank">Foxton RV Accessories</a> and it cost just under $100. There are a couple of other stockists in NZ as well.</em>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-73226346842672490782011-11-24T09:46:00.001+13:002011-11-24T09:48:31.957+13:00Pretty!<em>24 November 2011</em><br />
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In a world of over-whelmingly white vans, how lovely to see this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9aj2pwOmxg4ToTi5EdvafBi3A-0xnLuwFc00X2mvZHEijpOJTao-5Qw6lLbpFGcshHnbHXNF_8PfGjDvEz3g_Pz5iWtC5mv8rHFQJaYxCrNfTasa7VdCTcSBEa8X_2OUSAXsZh0A-wvM/s1600/100_6792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9aj2pwOmxg4ToTi5EdvafBi3A-0xnLuwFc00X2mvZHEijpOJTao-5Qw6lLbpFGcshHnbHXNF_8PfGjDvEz3g_Pz5iWtC5mv8rHFQJaYxCrNfTasa7VdCTcSBEa8X_2OUSAXsZh0A-wvM/s400/100_6792.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbjtZlx0ucZodK3KQkVFEosKL5zqTh1f-puSoNsIESXqJqQoXDl8uCOii2fb58QfHf3PON7Km_T8VL-nKMweJzejX2GVLeSQGo5SD9LeYnRemt7_YgOjasbdDvHs6F5EnbAkng8xOkS0/s1600/100_6793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbjtZlx0ucZodK3KQkVFEosKL5zqTh1f-puSoNsIESXqJqQoXDl8uCOii2fb58QfHf3PON7Km_T8VL-nKMweJzejX2GVLeSQGo5SD9LeYnRemt7_YgOjasbdDvHs6F5EnbAkng8xOkS0/s400/100_6793.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-11970608796110655382011-11-22T20:20:00.001+13:002011-11-22T20:42:57.683+13:00Home run<em>22 November 2011</em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PWmyopDRd4tREuxbdx1-3TDKX7Ii_4srFXUuL9Vb2IAn3lWv66-WS0V0Lmhv8uY6mScNGhIqSA2F5zyqqkN1Bjwr3QpXf0Gu4ZLbCwznsIil1fV7ym3iu-jNv6EDQYtmY4-5WT1fZMY/s1600/100_6746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PWmyopDRd4tREuxbdx1-3TDKX7Ii_4srFXUuL9Vb2IAn3lWv66-WS0V0Lmhv8uY6mScNGhIqSA2F5zyqqkN1Bjwr3QpXf0Gu4ZLbCwznsIil1fV7ym3iu-jNv6EDQYtmY4-5WT1fZMY/s320/100_6746.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
New porch floor for Nicky...</div>
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We've spent the last couple of weeks at 'home' in Wellington; it feels less and less like home each time we return. It's wonderful to catch up with our kids, other family and friends, though.</div>
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Craig got to use his beloved nail gun, doing some maintenance work on his daughter's house. She has a great place for us to park the bus outside her house, very quiet and out of the way.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNauYtx5_aVLI3-Pj_IRV_KFKj4ia91frGAEnrkx4AaxKSsBvx-Lfg74g0g__EvEg9Oz1jbQnBiDu4J4G2RldmbmtEscbtxWTr3XzHsyIhWhsNTZEBmizsg4mAbSkrmUTUFsGlHY2-iY/s1600/100_6769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNauYtx5_aVLI3-Pj_IRV_KFKj4ia91frGAEnrkx4AaxKSsBvx-Lfg74g0g__EvEg9Oz1jbQnBiDu4J4G2RldmbmtEscbtxWTr3XzHsyIhWhsNTZEBmizsg4mAbSkrmUTUFsGlHY2-iY/s320/100_6769.JPG" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and gates, complete with beer bottle decorations.</td></tr>
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We also went on our version of a shopping spree. This involves a visit to the storage unit to pick up more clothes (and shoes!) for summer. At the same time we got rid of stuff we've been carrying with us but haven't really needed, like the printer that's never been used in 10 months. Plus we loaded up with all the other summer stuff like kayaks, fishing rods and all the paraphernalia that go with them.</div>
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So no we're back on the road again, heading for Whitianga for a week or so, before we head north for the summer.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFe08Ej-Fl4RF2L0Ze3ZETMpzagZ_ZReFzVP861F-ipmlROeqPQ10MldrMaNs7rwmK6FkDc8y9GNfKIgsDpZn-yuYR_lyTESpL7G1YaIG3a3Qzsna1Dvvt9jAo_zHeV3PMUNpHAOxCopA/s1600/13112011017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFe08Ej-Fl4RF2L0Ze3ZETMpzagZ_ZReFzVP861F-ipmlROeqPQ10MldrMaNs7rwmK6FkDc8y9GNfKIgsDpZn-yuYR_lyTESpL7G1YaIG3a3Qzsna1Dvvt9jAo_zHeV3PMUNpHAOxCopA/s400/13112011017.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I helped out at the Santa Parade - which really is mostly about the waiting!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcu0lXtLT-ijym4T4hZ0M4sOLJSAalBxZNv6Z1R2u32jMJAIx8vTDPm0CHlT2HCT3hMsH5SMW7lE2MMWETQnfArW_CL6Es9HylezqdOR-Mqs7iEgLqIbHxU9tjmBz2gca6BderuyzrDQ/s1600/100_6780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcu0lXtLT-ijym4T4hZ0M4sOLJSAalBxZNv6Z1R2u32jMJAIx8vTDPm0CHlT2HCT3hMsH5SMW7lE2MMWETQnfArW_CL6Es9HylezqdOR-Mqs7iEgLqIbHxU9tjmBz2gca6BderuyzrDQ/s400/100_6780.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer can't be far away - this tui was gorging on flax flowers right<br />
outside the bus door.</td></tr>
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<img height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNauYtx5_aVLI3-Pj_IRV_KFKj4ia91frGAEnrkx4AaxKSsBvx-Lfg74g0g__EvEg9Oz1jbQnBiDu4J4G2RldmbmtEscbtxWTr3XzHsyIhWhsNTZEBmizsg4mAbSkrmUTUFsGlHY2-iY/s320/100_6769.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 471px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 550px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-32831914230340890662011-10-29T19:25:00.002+13:002011-10-29T19:25:41.088+13:00Saving the best for last<em>29 October 2011</em><br />
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It has taken a week to recover enough energy to post about finals' weekend.<br />
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Our camp is now closed, the fences and buildings removed and before long no-one will quite remember we were there.<br />
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We had the most amazing time running the Westhaven Campervan Park. Incredible people came through our door every day. Some of them came back time and again and felt like family.<br />
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And we were honoured to work with some very cool people; too many to mention but very dear to us nonetheless.<br />
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Here are just a few photos from the last weekend. There are so many photos they can't all be posted here, but over the next day or two I will post links to some albums in the sidebar, so keep an eye out for them.<br />
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And there is no denying, the All Blacks gave us the perfect finish to the whole wonderful experience.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatpSUH3aazdEKsJ_H0Phk2nqL1-jT_z0Y7rItitBZ6OwB78U4EqMsqO6K6KtXRSSEJH5_wf2rXldII_nt126gBbfqc9Vxflw4FVVs03YJ6_8wXo1ICvv6tass01Be4WP0lsnmcaQvne0/s1600/100_6676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatpSUH3aazdEKsJ_H0Phk2nqL1-jT_z0Y7rItitBZ6OwB78U4EqMsqO6K6KtXRSSEJH5_wf2rXldII_nt126gBbfqc9Vxflw4FVVs03YJ6_8wXo1ICvv6tass01Be4WP0lsnmcaQvne0/s400/100_6676.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cutest fan!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWSjHgZnRQdK8a9OR-VLflXLdUV85fK0CtkrOONGUa6382X1aCjuoC3lHZcEakMI23qKR_ApcE3YXY6pMRt4iJ6itCl8LZpvR3sUMvGmvJTSY3F4Q2njfGTaOWodcwMbEbf7r1bI0JRI/s1600/100_6694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWSjHgZnRQdK8a9OR-VLflXLdUV85fK0CtkrOONGUa6382X1aCjuoC3lHZcEakMI23qKR_ApcE3YXY6pMRt4iJ6itCl8LZpvR3sUMvGmvJTSY3F4Q2njfGTaOWodcwMbEbf7r1bI0JRI/s400/100_6694.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maori Nesian - the band one of our guards brought in to<br />
entertain the guests who thought of this as home.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTZRE7D2QOhqJfx6TOWjL6djiTFCSFKZ0cw6Q0mWE2_1Bl5z-aRM6RhHWagkFD3jTIUDGAV7dMFtkdRzdYORE6zf1DmpW9Yz3PKplGMG-aM1D_AQafTCf4r3rm0MDQfHZm9SwyIcKv6Y/s1600/100_6698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTZRE7D2QOhqJfx6TOWjL6djiTFCSFKZ0cw6Q0mWE2_1Bl5z-aRM6RhHWagkFD3jTIUDGAV7dMFtkdRzdYORE6zf1DmpW9Yz3PKplGMG-aM1D_AQafTCf4r3rm0MDQfHZm9SwyIcKv6Y/s400/100_6698.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resting up before the final?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBqx85ksroWCp7He2QAv_y747xszX0GoOJuTrTakA25WYZ7lOG0tEgpxckRd6YJ81GB3L-paBF7XcpqQGvfqrvne58DwRXfpoRnTVjHXAICJU62eCN6gObDVFT4w0q4h9KMcKGncqosI/s1600/100_6692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBqx85ksroWCp7He2QAv_y747xszX0GoOJuTrTakA25WYZ7lOG0tEgpxckRd6YJ81GB3L-paBF7XcpqQGvfqrvne58DwRXfpoRnTVjHXAICJU62eCN6gObDVFT4w0q4h9KMcKGncqosI/s400/100_6692.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many happy campers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-66377710278081018522011-10-17T19:43:00.003+13:002011-10-17T19:43:47.482+13:00This week's dress-ups<em>17 September 2011</em><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgb6g63wxo7aWuX7kP3j_v7ujvgK1dHI2xX95B723ceGUcgWDbx6JwQCQBqWNYekLKHlOfoPqZTHr3X9PT40zrM-_qxxu-7Tnfwi974Mo1TC6TftnPZ72LEV9djqlZ6hZAzQuMz7wQunc/s1600/100_6629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgb6g63wxo7aWuX7kP3j_v7ujvgK1dHI2xX95B723ceGUcgWDbx6JwQCQBqWNYekLKHlOfoPqZTHr3X9PT40zrM-_qxxu-7Tnfwi974Mo1TC6TftnPZ72LEV9djqlZ6hZAzQuMz7wQunc/s400/100_6629.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone couldn't work out how to put his daffodil on!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDR-OD-kYofTgFkROy7v4UyIa8hlK3NnHZIGtFlptwebzUCJ_6Cb9W1cqaq0BKtgKjjxL6zmfgzNd1Jlpu9GB1csVZgJEvE4YE6etT_Dj0RqFo3Xzhx8uaVWQNMcFoyKxo2o8hkpr9j8E/s1600/100_6630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDR-OD-kYofTgFkROy7v4UyIa8hlK3NnHZIGtFlptwebzUCJ_6Cb9W1cqaq0BKtgKjjxL6zmfgzNd1Jlpu9GB1csVZgJEvE4YE6etT_Dj0RqFo3Xzhx8uaVWQNMcFoyKxo2o8hkpr9j8E/s400/100_6630.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is better - and now we can't see his undies.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOts-sooxkbZWYxilb2Dm3aojwrzhxT7G0wpg_ceNigbZIcPl6_NzT_HyZJx8qjlM87vktUbPujq4SuqRcrGizuM7GFeA7IxHEoNdQxRJcP3ZMT26VA2IoFgRs7CpvaB1GhXPSnnrr5S0/s1600/100_6633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOts-sooxkbZWYxilb2Dm3aojwrzhxT7G0wpg_ceNigbZIcPl6_NzT_HyZJx8qjlM87vktUbPujq4SuqRcrGizuM7GFeA7IxHEoNdQxRJcP3ZMT26VA2IoFgRs7CpvaB1GhXPSnnrr5S0/s400/100_6633.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simon and friends dressed for the game...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQb8suICGfnYXTb95spdgspM5UqVsvXlMmNZ_PYWNf6VGijsTs0xHeP5n31Hy9_qUDR2pMLLedBcOqv2S6_6UzjXXxY0fIdXn2ZnkFOzc77D794Nkz7fhtLgDSSW5nMZRE2fE3E-3SqRg/s1600/100_6638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQb8suICGfnYXTb95spdgspM5UqVsvXlMmNZ_PYWNf6VGijsTs0xHeP5n31Hy9_qUDR2pMLLedBcOqv2S6_6UzjXXxY0fIdXn2ZnkFOzc77D794Nkz7fhtLgDSSW5nMZRE2fE3E-3SqRg/s400/100_6638.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and their camper dressed for the tour.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-24416543476302018582011-10-13T07:10:00.003+13:002011-10-13T08:53:38.025+13:00Quarter finals<em>13 October 2011</em><br />
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Each weekend seems to get bigger and busier. Quite a different feeling this weekend, now we've reached the knockout stage.<br />
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Many of our guests have been here two or three times now, and many more will be with us for the next two weekends, too. Noticeably fewer of them are existing on a shoestring budget - if they could afford tickets to the quarters, semis and finals, then moeny for the rest of it wasn't much of a worry.<br />
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The overall feeling is still party mode, but some are starting to look a bit jaded after weeks of travel, drinking and restaurant eating.<br />
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Quote of the week from the Argentinians:<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy night, sad morning.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvRSY5I7pDxqwPthSeOohh4ZV5NCdhtJE9CcJrBvdfrIoQ1vMpSmMcpi4iu6E-rOMPjAXkdKO8Vq5IPcJHyIpIvoJE9t7-SuzsIyySLGeH5EOdwHV5TGOqWsv1qBU9DA_cBW5KJR5Eik/s1600/100_6588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvRSY5I7pDxqwPthSeOohh4ZV5NCdhtJE9CcJrBvdfrIoQ1vMpSmMcpi4iu6E-rOMPjAXkdKO8Vq5IPcJHyIpIvoJE9t7-SuzsIyySLGeH5EOdwHV5TGOqWsv1qBU9DA_cBW5KJR5Eik/s400/100_6588.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adam from TV One did live weather forecasts from the park<br />
on Saturday, with plenty of help from the Argentinians.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5biBIGt42_AdjaWCFAlUR83CYRGlpUc3vkJs9mFsMNhkBI4fGlETa0LrJdzbOgai8yUQB3jJ7L1YKi3P0BixH1ldlWL2kD_L5vRqGLc3BrTwCrVyvRz8GPRh6APFRMsr9Wl2nBb9A9s/s1600/100_6577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5biBIGt42_AdjaWCFAlUR83CYRGlpUc3vkJs9mFsMNhkBI4fGlETa0LrJdzbOgai8yUQB3jJ7L1YKi3P0BixH1ldlWL2kD_L5vRqGLc3BrTwCrVyvRz8GPRh6APFRMsr9Wl2nBb9A9s/s400/100_6577.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What else would you do with all this space but play rugby?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRU_yESYzj6C6zo_iRZ3vDV0OCXG_c8cwkLDbs4NDjC-ay6f-AXnufXcga-HA78Fh5GUF5P-m3sywP801WOmPOHQicDtO7z8iWS31-IKuXTFOynA79AD7QeXGwXzNc25_UHAIN9h7i2c/s1600/100_6595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRU_yESYzj6C6zo_iRZ3vDV0OCXG_c8cwkLDbs4NDjC-ay6f-AXnufXcga-HA78Fh5GUF5P-m3sywP801WOmPOHQicDtO7z8iWS31-IKuXTFOynA79AD7QeXGwXzNc25_UHAIN9h7i2c/s400/100_6595.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">English Dave and friends enjoying a beer...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLZjKlofF8JAZaC_FP31OlHlOjDgSx-bxd0TE7qC4sgbmJwspa2uiwaPvSH_a7i7KH0bKFx4pwkQ5LGyT8lsnbichCjtx2-dxg5JfiOw37aZPTelZo8CzkNSDwlyNAlrtvyL1vQnyzyA/s1600/100_6606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLZjKlofF8JAZaC_FP31OlHlOjDgSx-bxd0TE7qC4sgbmJwspa2uiwaPvSH_a7i7KH0bKFx4pwkQ5LGyT8lsnbichCjtx2-dxg5JfiOw37aZPTelZo8CzkNSDwlyNAlrtvyL1vQnyzyA/s400/100_6606.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...supplied by the friendly folk from The Long Room in Ponsonby.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFH1ghGQoX_3gtdofcy3MKsLNO5SKISWnk18Hr9FvGMNYdVN16ZNOnxwzqPAQI1z_yumY0-Zde5WfWRFSqeQv1poYQZoM2wA2I_wYgF4CHVBMUkFFKSw5Cda39tvUtEu-JXDY2SjvDQwU/s1600/100_6609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFH1ghGQoX_3gtdofcy3MKsLNO5SKISWnk18Hr9FvGMNYdVN16ZNOnxwzqPAQI1z_yumY0-Zde5WfWRFSqeQv1poYQZoM2wA2I_wYgF4CHVBMUkFFKSw5Cda39tvUtEu-JXDY2SjvDQwU/s400/100_6609.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty sure the guy in pink is in costume, but the Scotsman looked<br />
like that most of the time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XNxlnOACGNtEz9Zn4WCLo1rubZrkzX7l-8ML11soBbh19zsMM1caoyVsGCdH9_L8bTfDvTzV8-DI2phxmjpw4kmi1VNcjJNbABpfso6U-3m4SMfu19QSDs0ToAG0vlgcE7hHp9Tcx44/s1600/100_6611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XNxlnOACGNtEz9Zn4WCLo1rubZrkzX7l-8ML11soBbh19zsMM1caoyVsGCdH9_L8bTfDvTzV8-DI2phxmjpw4kmi1VNcjJNbABpfso6U-3m4SMfu19QSDs0ToAG0vlgcE7hHp9Tcx44/s400/100_6611.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two were even more cheerful after France vs England game.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoi_yVixx8E61EN3Qf79CKt8a0hJa2RljV2J0rAsCkQe9t62Rq8hCE5lHcZJZrE6un9I7SyuWdYr4G13BKWQTWzoA-RI2JrrY15_qlZxJcaXEpfqpEOqdwHk08_uAK4F7Ng6zTJVO6xM/s1600/100_6612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoi_yVixx8E61EN3Qf79CKt8a0hJa2RljV2J0rAsCkQe9t62Rq8hCE5lHcZJZrE6un9I7SyuWdYr4G13BKWQTWzoA-RI2JrrY15_qlZxJcaXEpfqpEOqdwHk08_uAK4F7Ng6zTJVO6xM/s400/100_6612.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These guys, not so much.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXH_BzC7oa35_iQxDtcWGQVTJ9Zg5f-_qqyFZvQx58_G6-tOiQdkbE7fqzawSvNTQulujnerPxmziyVPHlBL_oX2x8NROZafDuZoNs35X_IjX7X63u9vwILfUmnpigEKh6Rn_GBQJY-I/s1600/100_6613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXH_BzC7oa35_iQxDtcWGQVTJ9Zg5f-_qqyFZvQx58_G6-tOiQdkbE7fqzawSvNTQulujnerPxmziyVPHlBL_oX2x8NROZafDuZoNs35X_IjX7X63u9vwILfUmnpigEKh6Rn_GBQJY-I/s400/100_6613.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Sunday morning brought us the Whakatane tourism people with<br />
sausages for breakfast for all.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-83709451801496216292011-10-04T15:06:00.002+13:002011-10-04T15:11:12.844+13:00Eggs and all the other people<em>4 October 2011</em><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXq_vivQcjhRoV6VHPn9sOahJJLDMxzgAnoizmRZ4_iXy9QViMxQ86L5rX46YQ49RxoOJ14_P3RoJ6Fow9PIv_silcWNKEm8KncRYvjqOVlKLHm2TSQpcWQD7Wn0PMhhlOXmrgzzIQNiQ/s1600/100_6562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXq_vivQcjhRoV6VHPn9sOahJJLDMxzgAnoizmRZ4_iXy9QViMxQ86L5rX46YQ49RxoOJ14_P3RoJ6Fow9PIv_silcWNKEm8KncRYvjqOVlKLHm2TSQpcWQD7Wn0PMhhlOXmrgzzIQNiQ/s320/100_6562.JPG" width="320" /></a>On Saturday we were joined by the 2 Eggs Road Trip. This was a couple of guys from <a href="http://www.campermate.co.nz/">Campermate</a> promoting their new app to help campers in NZ find campsites, supermarkets, wi-fi and other services. </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Campermate have been touring the country cooking free breakfasts at campgrounds and i-SITEs along the way. One of the 2 Eggs had gone missing the night before, so a camper stepped in to help and soon the delicious smells of bacon and eggs (and Craig's announcements on the loud hailer) were waking our guests from their slumber. </div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb25MJaXx1eozn3AdpEsUKldaWrPWsfoBvEyGvh8lyMBgjl4P1BjVBh-Q-eOX68VyqXgQbrHA2Uz6NF0TbumyDn4FFWepBSlUUzh1wMS_Vehqm0m4uKBVshtBenmz1gZ4nG0KErRsbjVo/s1600/100_6560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb25MJaXx1eozn3AdpEsUKldaWrPWsfoBvEyGvh8lyMBgjl4P1BjVBh-Q-eOX68VyqXgQbrHA2Uz6NF0TbumyDn4FFWepBSlUUzh1wMS_Vehqm0m4uKBVshtBenmz1gZ4nG0KErRsbjVo/s400/100_6560.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This weekend was all about the English and the Scottish for us at the Westhaven Campervan Park. The English may have won the rugby, but the Scots took out the weekend for enthusiasm.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFERodGvVWFiHqEjjdalf7fY_IHNjFbtqd-7MB7dcfKnPec0BI-Bq46dc1fOYo64zOj2WeS5KprBZFo6xkWQYVy5lyVUIB0Uu4jn0CkvxfvtwGN7G0ZvVGk94k0GDhPL2JAGESz9CzHlc/s1600/100_6565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFERodGvVWFiHqEjjdalf7fY_IHNjFbtqd-7MB7dcfKnPec0BI-Bq46dc1fOYo64zOj2WeS5KprBZFo6xkWQYVy5lyVUIB0Uu4jn0CkvxfvtwGN7G0ZvVGk94k0GDhPL2JAGESz9CzHlc/s400/100_6565.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That body paint didn't wash off very well the next day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISfRig79B7U5353sbyVfZXmviulnbgOJ4HqiBeos61BtjyOp2m_mC93Q8fYQM1sMeSL7eXClCsai6gopPQR39ja7Htlvn5BB5rev8_TSoldB-8Hm007xatxcDmOd-aY3c6WDy8gjrX0Y/s1600/100_6566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISfRig79B7U5353sbyVfZXmviulnbgOJ4HqiBeos61BtjyOp2m_mC93Q8fYQM1sMeSL7eXClCsai6gopPQR39ja7Htlvn5BB5rev8_TSoldB-8Hm007xatxcDmOd-aY3c6WDy8gjrX0Y/s400/100_6566.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two just never stopped smiling.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LfmepKoiKqpvu-uDrMn3l-lIV6XqIMJeudpx3F4Jg441CRH_ORd1A1i8-vIxXUc4UJ8IEfQbHNrfnkRvId3u6HSealzaBHNB-3r2m8ybJi6PdCuedyLygIh0hC8jywZHqLEL2UYz3Io/s1600/100_6567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LfmepKoiKqpvu-uDrMn3l-lIV6XqIMJeudpx3F4Jg441CRH_ORd1A1i8-vIxXUc4UJ8IEfQbHNrfnkRvId3u6HSealzaBHNB-3r2m8ybJi6PdCuedyLygIh0hC8jywZHqLEL2UYz3Io/s400/100_6567.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The queue for the dumpsite on check-out day - we got a fairly good<br />
campervan ballet going at one stage.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-61283595411659373762011-09-29T21:46:00.003+13:002011-09-29T22:02:32.231+13:00If you don't have time to write, put up photos!<em>29 September 2011</em><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOKLlb6o2VXdXr4zRKpAbobBobm3kShgQACWYk99JC4jWMvz86gbGccvmAlwdU2LNowKyObTa352cFQwImTkXl4r0mfD-NRKR1U9Ghki0fqZf4ydH7twi0YRKAMR9RBvByJvQFxMPy84/s1600/100_6538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOKLlb6o2VXdXr4zRKpAbobBobm3kShgQACWYk99JC4jWMvz86gbGccvmAlwdU2LNowKyObTa352cFQwImTkXl4r0mfD-NRKR1U9Ghki0fqZf4ydH7twi0YRKAMR9RBvByJvQFxMPy84/s400/100_6538.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We still haven't worked out where they sleep in this one.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjHChYi8HKCtloYdj4EOuQDa44zxGQ1dtoeTM3llx3XYK65bDpceF4REfBPXl5ybqsymjt1nAZ2x4X-ljcg1TSjXgmT4cAcPDYmLKwJbopDuHXu0OWDNh94Vm93cnJT_j_rz4MMUCxHM/s1600/100_6540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjHChYi8HKCtloYdj4EOuQDa44zxGQ1dtoeTM3llx3XYK65bDpceF4REfBPXl5ybqsymjt1nAZ2x4X-ljcg1TSjXgmT4cAcPDYmLKwJbopDuHXu0OWDNh94Vm93cnJT_j_rz4MMUCxHM/s400/100_6540.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time we've seen one of these all black campers - but it was<br />
a bunch of Aussie guys.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEPq2K_slq9gjxrfWzr_-5UkMVRNjaxqB7kIftpf4BnezUtq-9YsdjBGpiZt92fmemdBJEukdxmEZJqyyQQb0p0YUeygr_ksYMdsJrJ1-ZINJvnayjLuj1_-M2rkOYGNz_UVArqhP29M/s1600/100_6542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEPq2K_slq9gjxrfWzr_-5UkMVRNjaxqB7kIftpf4BnezUtq-9YsdjBGpiZt92fmemdBJEukdxmEZJqyyQQb0p0YUeygr_ksYMdsJrJ1-ZINJvnayjLuj1_-M2rkOYGNz_UVArqhP29M/s400/100_6542.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Van swap - replacement for the one that came in on a <br />
transporter yesterday after the gearbox blew.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTlt351sxDSxE6mLbSJoLlXAJqJEz-vzJgSenMBZVx57khcIssm23Q_R0vSEIkfjnBklYBJGmmr9k0OrdXuV_74xlLViv2yKS1L56T1nkP1Jzi35ueFMAaM6Wure2kntXXbVXVqr4H7s/s1600/100_6544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTlt351sxDSxE6mLbSJoLlXAJqJEz-vzJgSenMBZVx57khcIssm23Q_R0vSEIkfjnBklYBJGmmr9k0OrdXuV_74xlLViv2yKS1L56T1nkP1Jzi35ueFMAaM6Wure2kntXXbVXVqr4H7s/s400/100_6544.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French horns!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vyd8J9ZlQLyu0E7oIen6xXQm2mqXmtXBIH5BtsfjqnIfY1-4_ZsnNBK_41FLX2Dmrm_NnEtv480vfvS7rLWIYBwba41SPlnVg7gu_XNIfuWwztFqUVmsfN6wJgeW1eZaUNEQavNKpM0/s1600/100_6553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vyd8J9ZlQLyu0E7oIen6xXQm2mqXmtXBIH5BtsfjqnIfY1-4_ZsnNBK_41FLX2Dmrm_NnEtv480vfvS7rLWIYBwba41SPlnVg7gu_XNIfuWwztFqUVmsfN6wJgeW1eZaUNEQavNKpM0/s400/100_6553.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Contributions from our campers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-3585761346607119062011-09-19T11:44:00.002+12:002011-09-19T11:45:00.819+12:00Invasion of the Irish<em>19 September 2011</em><br />
<br />
We had a complete nationality change for this weekend; last week was all about the French, this week we've had Irish and Australians - mainly Irish.<br />
<br />
Most of them arrived on Friday and promptly headed for the downtown bars. There were still people getting home at dawn, which gave them a few hours sleep before they were up and ready for the big game.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3G6M74Hz5D_OnipQh4xDfb1AA2Br01FUoqpynA7s1oXAuWNGSuDlHqaPBk95DvQCpYZbekRWL22N8qZMC5a2SDibOtakeXKxzbx7BHjx3QMuOBhQWlupdpL6iBj7XDBb22V8_e0nSZuE/s1600/100_6533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3G6M74Hz5D_OnipQh4xDfb1AA2Br01FUoqpynA7s1oXAuWNGSuDlHqaPBk95DvQCpYZbekRWL22N8qZMC5a2SDibOtakeXKxzbx7BHjx3QMuOBhQWlupdpL6iBj7XDBb22V8_e0nSZuE/s400/100_6533.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No doubt where their allegiance lies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And then the great upset - Ireland beat Australia. The partying went to a whole new level, although fortunately they partied elsewhere and only came back here when they ran out of steam.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILkzJ8bqbaNz6gJm_NnEUTAspoKLIuFP02deB5A2hbzxCq_pfb9uHLZGyO2c0IJsk2U-c7FOzMNfP0rd7FYB56uFoSNbM9MXLw2lcvXy1NZv-OUv4bJFqTbqiw_a3sXAlmfMxwC5xEio/s1600/100_6527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILkzJ8bqbaNz6gJm_NnEUTAspoKLIuFP02deB5A2hbzxCq_pfb9uHLZGyO2c0IJsk2U-c7FOzMNfP0rd7FYB56uFoSNbM9MXLw2lcvXy1NZv-OUv4bJFqTbqiw_a3sXAlmfMxwC5xEio/s400/100_6527.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I went for a run early on Sunday and saw one of these lads walking home.<br />
I don't think gorgeous is how I would describe him.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
On Sunday we had plenty of the Irish pay for an extra night so they could recover from Saturday. Then they went out and got drunk all over again on Sunday.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjMgv-UNFGsT39Sg7RJ6kBJsb1gEUHtpzCrpzTTy8IvwJVucVxsScTKsZAolXOTkfoks_UaJVonIPLcRj_bH9e1PfHgww7DUhApE0TKhDyjOyP12TCN7rfximwpRRB_IKIIpQKuy3H6c/s1600/100_6534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjMgv-UNFGsT39Sg7RJ6kBJsb1gEUHtpzCrpzTTy8IvwJVucVxsScTKsZAolXOTkfoks_UaJVonIPLcRj_bH9e1PfHgww7DUhApE0TKhDyjOyP12TCN7rfximwpRRB_IKIIpQKuy3H6c/s400/100_6534.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In my office on Monday morning. He'd lost his mates and they had<br />
the keys to the camper.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-70178599639178066022011-09-13T20:13:00.001+12:002011-09-13T20:17:30.797+12:00A bit of a breeze<em>13 September 2011</em><br />
<br />
The last few days of strong winds in Auckland have caused all sorts of chaos - they couldn't even fly the flags on the bridge. Our fences have been getting pushed around, despite us taking some of the banners off.<br />
<br />
And then today one long stretch of fence gave up resisting and toppled over. Luckily we have very few vans in, so no campers were affected, but one car in the public parking space was damaged.<br />
<br />
Our fencing suppliers were great, so by tonight everything was back in place (with extra bracing in case we have any more Wellington-like winds).<br />
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Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-79600383696265998552011-09-12T11:55:00.000+12:002011-09-12T12:00:50.973+12:00Opening weekend<em>12 September 2011</em><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrU2iDFa3YeLOo-zRBXeXUK8_VYNxFptPxyYvXPSx_MDACcW5WcCGeiJ_InZFpSSX9RGX_NicfD8pMAtM20ze9Nu6clXeaoCYxq4-zlIV37c9L0zC3t9LBpElzJ6MCDqLvuOMt38mJw8/s1600/100_6495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrU2iDFa3YeLOo-zRBXeXUK8_VYNxFptPxyYvXPSx_MDACcW5WcCGeiJ_InZFpSSX9RGX_NicfD8pMAtM20ze9Nu6clXeaoCYxq4-zlIV37c9L0zC3t9LBpElzJ6MCDqLvuOMt38mJw8/s320/100_6495.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucked in for the night. Just the way we like them - quiet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Opening the park on Wednesday gave us the luxury of a couple of warm-up days before the first large group of campers arrived on Friday. Or so we thought. 31 bookings on Thursday quickly swelled to 52 actually checking in; many of them also then decided to book for later dates.<br />
<br />
Friday and Saturday nights we were at full capacity of 98 vans, and had to send a lot more to the alternative location at Alexandra Park. <br />
<br />
As expected the biggest challenge was the language barrier, with about 70% of our guests this weekend being French. It's hard to keep talking slowly when you have six vans waiting to check in. But most of them do a better job of speaking our language here than we do of speaking their language over there. Favourite phrase of the weekend: We want to stay this day, tomorrow and next tomorrow.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePxhWlZrVTtzUywDC0JFncw9VmJP233faX9QI0ne7Eej8MzwfmfxL_webOH7JIhkP1PzSbDrokjyPciWu1p_mGCkkmuHAOKHsXH7fQvWzp3GJZgKNBkQl1vf1QpqEpU4t2hqAggBW7Us/s1600/100_6511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePxhWlZrVTtzUywDC0JFncw9VmJP233faX9QI0ne7Eej8MzwfmfxL_webOH7JIhkP1PzSbDrokjyPciWu1p_mGCkkmuHAOKHsXH7fQvWzp3GJZgKNBkQl1vf1QpqEpU4t2hqAggBW7Us/s400/100_6511.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Musketeers waiting for the shuttle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Everyone is certainly here to have a great time and the atmosphere is very relaxed and friendly. One of our security guards even organised a France vs the Rest of the World touch rugby game.<br />
<br />
And now it is Monday, the place is almost empty and we get a few days of reprieve before the next onslaught - Ireland is playing Australia here this weekend, so we'll have a completely different mix of nationalities. And no doubt there will some serious partying to be done. Again.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8OsKutj1Yt-rh6pub02LYfBkvhJ2XSCp55djdr89t0XQfK34YgaNkB_wtgNUbRVMEvtoK19r02Qwx5y0ZB-89qNQob6wI-8tJgj0ghq4rwcTne005j9PuXM2ukwOhMyw1otqRpn8z10/s1600/100_6490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8OsKutj1Yt-rh6pub02LYfBkvhJ2XSCp55djdr89t0XQfK34YgaNkB_wtgNUbRVMEvtoK19r02Qwx5y0ZB-89qNQob6wI-8tJgj0ghq4rwcTne005j9PuXM2ukwOhMyw1otqRpn8z10/s400/100_6490.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our more unusual visitors - using the boat ramp at Z Pier.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwViP0XGLENL4Gbf7o6fgHw7pfdvpNwSzgwodgGYydxh27nj6DExQeY4vHian0ESVCoaqfg7S8PX84z6-zXwwKuyUCrOTGGXNAp3Mr_7ZEr8HtlkzkzqyMOgOMOb9AvXHkZAdg94k_m8g/s1600/100_6506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwViP0XGLENL4Gbf7o6fgHw7pfdvpNwSzgwodgGYydxh27nj6DExQeY4vHian0ESVCoaqfg7S8PX84z6-zXwwKuyUCrOTGGXNAp3Mr_7ZEr8HtlkzkzqyMOgOMOb9AvXHkZAdg94k_m8g/s400/100_6506.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mobile i-SITE, ready for business.</td></tr>
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Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-50108523762449638432011-09-04T17:40:00.000+12:002011-09-04T17:40:09.224+12:00Installation<em>4 September 2011</em><br />
<br />
We've had a busy few days, getting the Westhaven Campervan Park ready for action. We're so wrapped up in what we're doing, sometimes it's hard to remember this is really all about the rugby.<br />
<br />
The park now has fencing, extra toilet and shower facilities, and office and some signs and hoardings. The office is completely empty and the ablutions aren't hooked up yet, but we've got two whole days to get all that sorted.<br />
<br />
Once again we've been impressed by how enthusiastic everyone is and how the whole focus is to get everything working and provide the best experience we can for all our visitors.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqF6C2Q6xwMbSb3OU_1-AxNVB2u8w1y9Quynx9-4Gkt2pd7poVgBSUDgF3lzef0xoeTOgDzPWdjCz4Dj7LtAqDT52jXQ0CDj5WwM3kLlPJKIi97Gv-E-Lbb3ynrhXB9mNgCQNsJcD5n0o/s1600/100_6462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqF6C2Q6xwMbSb3OU_1-AxNVB2u8w1y9Quynx9-4Gkt2pd7poVgBSUDgF3lzef0xoeTOgDzPWdjCz4Dj7LtAqDT52jXQ0CDj5WwM3kLlPJKIi97Gv-E-Lbb3ynrhXB9mNgCQNsJcD5n0o/s400/100_6462.JPG" width="400" xaa="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">650m of temporary fencing. Bet these guys were sore at the end of the day.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuX2q_vTs5AYnMZSB18JSCzN0A6MxA8PSS6p1PhibjyyiZxa2Z9vejgDYeWVrWdfFO0vQDsKq4voC57iWasX2CTe20PZOEzDQRsN9ZMwJORz_QzG4sEAkUjUOBA7bIoETwMnMIfT78bA8/s1600/100_6471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuX2q_vTs5AYnMZSB18JSCzN0A6MxA8PSS6p1PhibjyyiZxa2Z9vejgDYeWVrWdfFO0vQDsKq4voC57iWasX2CTe20PZOEzDQRsN9ZMwJORz_QzG4sEAkUjUOBA7bIoETwMnMIfT78bA8/s400/100_6471.JPG" width="400" xaa="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Have to keep the public path at Westhaven open.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iWzgQ31Fvd-ZYQlFrfOkteUEfHUJmsOjBau15XgXlXuQJlkMDC8jIS89gFmdewPf5upZ9ikffXIcUJc6YZ-DpNvxobZBPKmeTrgCGCZbG69Mv5D7N7lBf4sf_iFR2Pos8CA4j7BBTEU/s1600/100_6479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iWzgQ31Fvd-ZYQlFrfOkteUEfHUJmsOjBau15XgXlXuQJlkMDC8jIS89gFmdewPf5upZ9ikffXIcUJc6YZ-DpNvxobZBPKmeTrgCGCZbG69Mv5D7N7lBf4sf_iFR2Pos8CA4j7BBTEU/s400/100_6479.JPG" width="400" xaa="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some delicate placement of the temporary facilities - and you better not<br />
scratch the flash new toilet block a Z Pier.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3vWLd9G4hnJbD33A_a_D5W0jLgv7Gxet8SDEEz-_20VliCA7xkRIYdKQE0uQ2n5Kyju_629uUR28zidaF4Zf6nyVHH7QiCQUbCr9uNeSzg-QF1-6SayElT79kpT4D-_4848CrGc5AeQ/s1600/100_6485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3vWLd9G4hnJbD33A_a_D5W0jLgv7Gxet8SDEEz-_20VliCA7xkRIYdKQE0uQ2n5Kyju_629uUR28zidaF4Zf6nyVHH7QiCQUbCr9uNeSzg-QF1-6SayElT79kpT4D-_4848CrGc5AeQ/s400/100_6485.JPG" width="400" xaa="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got enough signs there, Craig?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMyaCOgcDRHKcpTCRfpKYlnb1PCZXnNZlXYN-Kk0z2fqLleysm2phoH_SF_Kh4JAcsmCeuWbXFsFtWTPSCRmyp_K54qrhGxRKJ4RAD2sV3USFSi8IRRZp-PRfvW7CRTRVccWdcGMxFn8/s1600/100_6489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMyaCOgcDRHKcpTCRfpKYlnb1PCZXnNZlXYN-Kk0z2fqLleysm2phoH_SF_Kh4JAcsmCeuWbXFsFtWTPSCRmyp_K54qrhGxRKJ4RAD2sV3USFSi8IRRZp-PRfvW7CRTRVccWdcGMxFn8/s400/100_6489.JPG" width="400" xaa="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hope they come and play with us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-55576477023819488802011-08-22T14:58:00.001+12:002011-08-25T15:05:37.821+12:00Laundry day<em>22 August 2008</em><br />
<br />
We're relaxing at Shelly Beach, near Helensville, for a week or so, enjoying the beautiful weather which followed the awful storms that hit New Zealand in mid-August.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kMM6Y4UfHnrjqeYHLIFFpH-OvqlNe60g-JL_fVmgibHL3uMRFsZN6wl_i2qSZTSQhrXMGGZqtxsCyRCSPgzbSRRpoh3l5svWvPgsOOG8M4k56UZzECbkbaZRAJHfikCHCKl9FzjO7fU/s1600/100_6415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kMM6Y4UfHnrjqeYHLIFFpH-OvqlNe60g-JL_fVmgibHL3uMRFsZN6wl_i2qSZTSQhrXMGGZqtxsCyRCSPgzbSRRpoh3l5svWvPgsOOG8M4k56UZzECbkbaZRAJHfikCHCKl9FzjO7fU/s400/100_6415.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kaipara Harbour at its most tranquil.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRn1Ow3MlZV2u8wWsphDH0K2yATAW_lZwwY8OveWnRkhugDf9RWzE2GQfiu8-GBJuisPPjYn_dm-2svcroGS4qmw6-ZpIpp-squIdGBti9pNAEvcuOPotXhvx20hyphenhyphen3cFOWauCyRLMT7qc/s1600/100_6424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRn1Ow3MlZV2u8wWsphDH0K2yATAW_lZwwY8OveWnRkhugDf9RWzE2GQfiu8-GBJuisPPjYn_dm-2svcroGS4qmw6-ZpIpp-squIdGBti9pNAEvcuOPotXhvx20hyphenhyphen3cFOWauCyRLMT7qc/s320/100_6424.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sunny spot to do my chores.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It's a lovely spot to park, low cost but with practically no facilities. That doesn't worry us, so long as there is fresh water and a dump site, which there is.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There are only eleven camping sites here, and most nights we've only seen one or two other vans. The first night there were four young German guys who've been travelling around for the last few months, sleeping in their (two) cars and really feeling the cold.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">However, the lack of facilities does mean we have to either take a 15km trip to the nearest laundromat, or do the washing by hand.</div> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YYvsqfI4YD79qb-R821nuGe3Jq82jXCus8pcDzrCtO96L1HiCzU35Foo81UCCrJGQzpQO5t0VtaYqHQ3bDCNrxj_Zx_vDKGowyrz0hFH4sqvdBBI_nmo478MdNOcPWjCxzIClXuMXD4/s1600/100_6425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YYvsqfI4YD79qb-R821nuGe3Jq82jXCus8pcDzrCtO96L1HiCzU35Foo81UCCrJGQzpQO5t0VtaYqHQ3bDCNrxj_Zx_vDKGowyrz0hFH4sqvdBBI_nmo478MdNOcPWjCxzIClXuMXD4/s320/100_6425.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice of them to supply a fence for our wringer, although it<br />
does clamp onto the bike rack, too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We carry a barrel and an old-fashioned hand wringer just for this purpose, and it gets us some funny looks from passers-by. But it does a good job - although we've not yet tried doing sheets or towels this way.</div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Sure, it takes a bit of time, but we've plenty of that these days.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnKzE7BFrAf2XrAT0cVObpGHyphR_O-5ndDE3tbe1UpoJjjQit7WnUPESF-icq3geFaJgcuRqqWFYrb6Ppqq2te7_LlUjOlkzYyUdjdiGinEpsd0xjhYrvZ2zVmnPV8myyLhHyZk_B-Y/s1600/100_6428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnKzE7BFrAf2XrAT0cVObpGHyphR_O-5ndDE3tbe1UpoJjjQit7WnUPESF-icq3geFaJgcuRqqWFYrb6Ppqq2te7_LlUjOlkzYyUdjdiGinEpsd0xjhYrvZ2zVmnPV8myyLhHyZk_B-Y/s400/100_6428.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plenty of clean socks and undies, not to mention my running gear.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-37835237093894956222011-08-03T21:16:00.000+12:002011-08-03T21:16:22.335+12:00Speaking of carparks...<em>3 August 2011</em><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyAT6nYku1mhquY2sfIHa8xVfhkAvS4UYDmS4yEL_5XjCtYnWBxMxndgxphwd-xeqwclf4WRW004s1JsnVzAYvoU0XZotaV5F08MaWXZ3CSU0IZhIAESTN-_letiFrhgZjRcV3Fiye1o/s1600/100_6286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyAT6nYku1mhquY2sfIHa8xVfhkAvS4UYDmS4yEL_5XjCtYnWBxMxndgxphwd-xeqwclf4WRW004s1JsnVzAYvoU0XZotaV5F08MaWXZ3CSU0IZhIAESTN-_letiFrhgZjRcV3Fiye1o/s320/100_6286.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking toward the city from J Pier</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A month from now, we are going to transform two large carparks into a temporary campervan park for Rugby World Cup 2011. Piers J and Z at Westhaven Marina (Auckland) will provide sites for 98 vans - and our bus.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The park will open on 7 September and operate until 25 October. We will be on site to manage the park during that time, and for a week or so before and after for the set-up and pack out.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We have over 700m of temporary fencing going in, along with a portacom office and several portacom ablution blocks. The carparks will be repainted to mark the sites and temporary power installed. And then we'll be ready for the inundation of foreign rugby fans in rental vans. The weekends will be very busy - there are 15 games in Auckland - but we should get the chance to catch our breath during the week.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>It's going to be busy and a lot of fun.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkx_ZyN5-QefT4J66RraGtyhRX3OSIwPfGYHhvItDgTx_ngWirA2D_81wjvT9VbarQvpxGaZpOqekHrYFkBB9an-Q6MGNCMXqEZmRL0tysgYpGyunXvl4HtyhWvXIOsORFB_TdD3ZtfHk/s1600/100_6277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkx_ZyN5-QefT4J66RraGtyhRX3OSIwPfGYHhvItDgTx_ngWirA2D_81wjvT9VbarQvpxGaZpOqekHrYFkBB9an-Q6MGNCMXqEZmRL0tysgYpGyunXvl4HtyhWvXIOsORFB_TdD3ZtfHk/s400/100_6277.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just part of the J Pier carpark</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95E05S-6IWuDC8EysaJFyVGjLe8hokqZF8XtAinhSXXBeLzXW_au1ufsRADvOdQGKk2VhVCetFpSeNnP27afQeBmp0WCCO61WdbSv5m_Sg7V84Ni8EeJxrBZ0-Fi5QfyJtC5wuN7I8q4/s1600/100_6288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95E05S-6IWuDC8EysaJFyVGjLe8hokqZF8XtAinhSXXBeLzXW_au1ufsRADvOdQGKk2VhVCetFpSeNnP27afQeBmp0WCCO61WdbSv5m_Sg7V84Ni8EeJxrBZ0-Fi5QfyJtC5wuN7I8q4/s400/100_6288.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little blue car, sitting where our bus will spend a couple of months on Z Pier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-38520830893926288982011-07-31T21:05:00.004+12:002011-07-31T21:12:27.403+12:00By special request - a tour of the bus<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94ZNCMyyxQFA1pE-NativmEXj7gR13PvhNPjOs8l8YT_xh9trdL8g2qL9O1tHgGruIPuuXvK3X1hltc_EeUgeyASgLicaMVdeSmtB_0Jy4IeD1RKdJBuQQksybnE4wF-xAHaWA4OGoa4/s1600/100_5625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94ZNCMyyxQFA1pE-NativmEXj7gR13PvhNPjOs8l8YT_xh9trdL8g2qL9O1tHgGruIPuuXvK3X1hltc_EeUgeyASgLicaMVdeSmtB_0Jy4IeD1RKdJBuQQksybnE4wF-xAHaWA4OGoa4/s400/100_5625.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freshly painted - an operation which absorbed almost 10% of the budget.<br />
You can see the roll-out awning roof over the door and the auto-tracking<br />
satellite on the roof. There are also five skylights and three solar<br />
panels up there.<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUl3y73Ok-ra3b17b7ZZEdIxPPJ62qB00slAWd5-xjbGjHIDfyKEYHbcgMa4Pq44D3amNaaDFItL73gmvDLM3jS49mh7I6rMjAIYy6eNT9UWJ3RtE7YAFwKmdn7HYRWwnbH18WDaYuts/s1600/100_6179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUl3y73Ok-ra3b17b7ZZEdIxPPJ62qB00slAWd5-xjbGjHIDfyKEYHbcgMa4Pq44D3amNaaDFItL73gmvDLM3jS49mh7I6rMjAIYy6eNT9UWJ3RtE7YAFwKmdn7HYRWwnbH18WDaYuts/s400/100_6179.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking forward from the door. The captain's chairs swivel so they are the driver's<br />
and passenger's seats while travelling and part of the lounge the rest of the time.<br />
The 'jelly bean' couches were designed to stop the area looking like a doctor's<br />
waiting room. We have two removable tables - one large one to go between the<br />
chairs to make that area our dining room, and a smaller one that can mount<br />
next to the passenger chair to take my laptop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXHr_LYmj9O_OPqrWXZVETmH25SOK5g8n11DXGlUWyS3-3fRlMr1-Ypc4tbqAk0g1L92_fFxjVoGoaIHKj28faU5tikGmP5wS3yFkWGYGBadDQlXngT0vGvFkrf-SBml0J0dgnCG4XYk/s1600/100_5042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXHr_LYmj9O_OPqrWXZVETmH25SOK5g8n11DXGlUWyS3-3fRlMr1-Ypc4tbqAk0g1L92_fFxjVoGoaIHKj28faU5tikGmP5wS3yFkWGYGBadDQlXngT0vGvFkrf-SBml0J0dgnCG4XYk/s400/100_5042.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the kitchen. The bench tops are very deep so I have plenty of work<br />
space. The drawers are soft-close and there are three large ones you can't see<br />
on the right which are the pantry. Under the bench on the right is the 210<br />
litre fridge/freezer, and the cooks among you might spot the Thermomix on<br />
that same bench. Past the kitchen on the left is the toilet and handbasin. The<br />
shower is opposite. There is a privacy door to separate these rooms and the<br />
bedroom from the rest of the bus.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOLeL2SF5TRnTrCXobJrFHNC-EUHmrm4IYokzlLLKIyZe_ry0GaL3BBLyaPgLH2300H9uNX0ao7SSwhLWYp8kGSBqkoHKG_6D_R32g-bvnz_APcpWEjImKGNBo9IGJiO0qSRGXp_jzMs/s1600/100_6177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOLeL2SF5TRnTrCXobJrFHNC-EUHmrm4IYokzlLLKIyZe_ry0GaL3BBLyaPgLH2300H9uNX0ao7SSwhLWYp8kGSBqkoHKG_6D_R32g-bvnz_APcpWEjImKGNBo9IGJiO0qSRGXp_jzMs/s400/100_6177.JPG" t$="true" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Impossible to photograph this room, but this does at least<br />
show the glass sculpture our entire colour scheme was<br />
based around.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3scz7eriFNpYY0MkrFfZEjegAoqUG9nY0SKs67MHUTXvUk1VIIvSdx9xoJyrRRk6m3eP7Utw_ibVRwhfNuP1mHnwwMS2YWK41WeKDld5CyY1rHUsmY2OCQnlxPkDEYxt9PFQv4Fg9Cc/s1600/2011-03-25-Sue-%2526-Craig-WEB--43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3scz7eriFNpYY0MkrFfZEjegAoqUG9nY0SKs67MHUTXvUk1VIIvSdx9xoJyrRRk6m3eP7Utw_ibVRwhfNuP1mHnwwMS2YWK41WeKDld5CyY1rHUsmY2OCQnlxPkDEYxt9PFQv4Fg9Cc/s400/2011-03-25-Sue-%2526-Craig-WEB--43.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the bus on our wedding day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-67782291553449328622011-07-28T15:17:00.001+12:002011-07-31T20:42:28.083+12:00The things we do in carparksThere are some odd things about our travelling lifestyle - and one of those is what we do in carparks.<br />
<br />
It takes a bit of getting used to, sitting in a carpark and cooking a meal or doing a couple of hours work on the computer. Occasionally we even sleep in carparks, at places like golf clubs and RSAs.<br />
<br />
But it's even more strange to come back from a run and have a shower in a carpark by the beach. Even though the windows are heavily tinted and the bus is completely private, I often feel like someone is going to say "You can't do that there".<br />
<br />
And of course using the toilet is stranger still. But at least we don't have to put up with queues for public toilets. And we can 'go' any time we like.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDyyoMWoljWM1fmHV1-V7PMkfD0sA_pgE5rbne399YR357VGZFPdarCYtJ-LLunbwPOPAmc0HlPZ9AXdGmiPSSZ6Y08JHMROBfNl_sploKRXZ0qZPchOPYkpITlaDkNBWLLvJhOK4rgE/s1600/100_4999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDyyoMWoljWM1fmHV1-V7PMkfD0sA_pgE5rbne399YR357VGZFPdarCYtJ-LLunbwPOPAmc0HlPZ9AXdGmiPSSZ6Y08JHMROBfNl_sploKRXZ0qZPchOPYkpITlaDkNBWLLvJhOK4rgE/s400/100_4999.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The queue outside the only toilet open in Tirau on Christmas Day.<br />
Photo taken from the toilet window in the bus.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-76210548955726956022011-07-20T15:54:00.000+12:002011-07-20T15:54:24.862+12:00Six month check-upWe've been on the road for just over six months now.<br />
<br />
Has it been what we expected? Well, no.<br />
<br />
Has it been amazing anyway? Absolutely.<br />
<br />
Of course, it didn't start out quite the way we planned - the late delivery and unfinished state of the bus saw to that. We thought we'd be all relaxed and in the swing of things before we started our first job; instead we turned up at Treasure Island late on Christmas Day and started work at 7am on Boxing Day.<br />
<br />
We've done all sorts of different work since then, and travelled a fair bit of the North Island. Financially, it would have been good to have more work, but we made a conscious decision to not work February and March so we could get some of the major issues with the bus finished/repaired. A lot of Craig's spare time is still filled with working on the bus; finishing, fixing, tweaking.<br />
<br />
This has, in some perverse way, helped us become more relaxed. There's no point in ranting and raving about things we can't change, we just have to sort them out as best we can. This lifestyle isn't orderly and predictable, but that's not a bad thing.<br />
<br />
It may not be what we expected, but we are loving our life. We are, indeed, On Happy Ground.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERQ7CfKlWuBnTFpazdtaGRpu9OSg5_bJWzJYGJntSIm8PUGXCY4AGpjDrUeYUIMMVVP6iMLhPQH3clyogS2KKCE-MIzrKAhsJaJ6LU_fnt-buOU2Fe5a3cj4p5KeHtqSilKFafNNH0m8/s1600/100_6259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERQ7CfKlWuBnTFpazdtaGRpu9OSg5_bJWzJYGJntSIm8PUGXCY4AGpjDrUeYUIMMVVP6iMLhPQH3clyogS2KKCE-MIzrKAhsJaJ6LU_fnt-buOU2Fe5a3cj4p5KeHtqSilKFafNNH0m8/s400/100_6259.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904101170441800284.post-17007421154511555082011-06-26T15:27:00.001+12:002011-06-26T15:30:08.589+12:00Perhaps not as adventurous as we thought?<em>25 June 2011</em><br />
<br />
With a couple of nice days forecast early this week and no work on the horizon, we gave in to our itchy feet and set off on an adventure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvXczbs5fUp1ohJ1qWO0hFrcBlpV-LXtZOXjCPoSlqqlNyV2w9wDClQyevRT-wizPxwyCxDCycegbGB8kCL1s0IOmmWkXLytnJPJBaACrc3oCV2yXCFwTr0VhmMXGE-SJLpWqaDmcyjA/s1600/map_coromandel_detail.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvXczbs5fUp1ohJ1qWO0hFrcBlpV-LXtZOXjCPoSlqqlNyV2w9wDClQyevRT-wizPxwyCxDCycegbGB8kCL1s0IOmmWkXLytnJPJBaACrc3oCV2yXCFwTr0VhmMXGE-SJLpWqaDmcyjA/s320/map_coromandel_detail.gif" width="219" /></a></div>We've never been further north than Coromandel township, so decided to try for Port Jackson. Once you get past Colville the road is narrow and unsealed (not to mention torturous), so Craig was a bit nervous about tackling it in the bus. We weren't towing the little car for this trip, though, so that makes it easier.<br />
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The map shows our location, but not the condition of the roads. The Coromandel Peninsula is very hilly and we don't get anywhere quickly in our 8.5 tonne vehicle.<br />
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Our start was delayed by flat bus batteries - we've been sitting in one place too long. The local tow truck operator came in to give us a jump start (it's a 24v system) and Craig had a good chat with him about the roads around the top end. Unfortunately he knows the roads well because he goes up there to pick up wrecks - not great for the confidence. But he did say it would be fine so long as we took it easy. Apparently the trick is to stop when you see another vehicle coming and then 'negotiate' past each other. The big mistake most people make is to keep going and just veer off onto the verge - the edges are very soft and some of them don't make it past.<br />
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Because of our late start and the drabness of the weather, we decided to stay at the camp at Colville that night, then head further north in the morning. However, we're too heavy for their ground at this time of year - there has been an awful lot of rain. It turned out to be a lucky problem though, because the proprietor suggested we head a bit further north to <a href="http://www.otautubaycamp.co.nz/">Otautu Bay Farm Camp</a>.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">What an amazing spot. A couple of kilometres along the Port Jackson road is an idyllic bay, housing a farm, a few holiday houses and a lovely camping ground. We parked 5m from the beach, looking straight out into the Hauraki Gulf.</div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDhcz9_K86exNAfzwS2tCCFT4Bgv36osFnYsTi7U8kUMqIEJidStB794dYuMjNy31Lb7HwjmcdQzAk-3gaQtcPMZDKadcZ6-B60uQf6TARTj4hStoqrvO5rnlvh7vVQxLFShWR-O2oDw/s1600/100_6124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDhcz9_K86exNAfzwS2tCCFT4Bgv36osFnYsTi7U8kUMqIEJidStB794dYuMjNy31Lb7HwjmcdQzAk-3gaQtcPMZDKadcZ6-B60uQf6TARTj4hStoqrvO5rnlvh7vVQxLFShWR-O2oDw/s400/100_6124.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view out the front window of the bus.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The camp is run by a lovely couple who have lots of interesting plans for its future. It's clearly very popular with fisherfolk and families and is in one of the best locations we've ever found.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X_6iJP9BYmoX6EJ6TTS-K2HVEgt-10byE0duPrGvQfdBw82DO8x8HPeU-hQMh8QnVZOWimMbfxssDD4nSK_JLJ5LplPyy2X8L-NszgAGRqcSoALG7qwkKhSukDRw-dLj6__tzoMqsw0/s1600/100_6138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X_6iJP9BYmoX6EJ6TTS-K2HVEgt-10byE0duPrGvQfdBw82DO8x8HPeU-hQMh8QnVZOWimMbfxssDD4nSK_JLJ5LplPyy2X8L-NszgAGRqcSoALG7qwkKhSukDRw-dLj6__tzoMqsw0/s400/100_6138.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A moody-looking evening.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hd2IAy5-yaBO30s6KvOKF-MZHr7aggPoDWbWvtogf-BkHe6Pqmtj_2_cuJrVglqB9uQDDkxgEreRojlL2s70H-J3po7g15rjDiSwigsihwVnaWXs4vX6qUiNep1Vr9cWX-jvyKwxigI/s1600/100_6149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hd2IAy5-yaBO30s6KvOKF-MZHr7aggPoDWbWvtogf-BkHe6Pqmtj_2_cuJrVglqB9uQDDkxgEreRojlL2s70H-J3po7g15rjDiSwigsihwVnaWXs4vX6qUiNep1Vr9cWX-jvyKwxigI/s400/100_6149.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Otautu Bay with part of the camp at the far end.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6OXD6VQKxmugFHTbc5mTOhbzzH-lnfydVoZcH7JswrAn31Pm265X-W5QVFnPEK4sNGG-EjS13LtvsafNCeK7hRq084C5krz_8Orgt8jGM_Evw0fkUL8XoEgy5ftUWIyqoDh2zexzea4/s1600/100_6164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6OXD6VQKxmugFHTbc5mTOhbzzH-lnfydVoZcH7JswrAn31Pm265X-W5QVFnPEK4sNGG-EjS13LtvsafNCeK7hRq084C5krz_8Orgt8jGM_Evw0fkUL8XoEgy5ftUWIyqoDh2zexzea4/s400/100_6164.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gorgeous beach dunnies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>While there we discovered there were roadworks on the Port Jackson road, which meant there were a fair few heavy trucks around. So we decided against going any further north and had a second night at Otautu Bay. The rest of this adventure will have to wait for another time.Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505106716412063956noreply@blogger.com3